September 12, 2018—Subaru of America, Inc. has announced that the nation's first college degree in Subaru automotive technology will be offered at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) in Gresham, Oregon, starting this fall.
Created in partnership with the Mt. Hood Community College Automotive Technology program to meet the rising industry demand for Subaru automotive technicians, the two-year, associate of applied science degree will prepare students to work at Subaru retailers by providing hands-on Subaru factory-certified training. Students will be paired with sponsoring Subaru retailers that will provide paid, on-the-job experience, as well as full-time positions after graduation.
The Subaru automotive technology degree expands upon the automaker's existing relationship with MHCC, fostered through its Subaru U program, dedicated to providing knowledge of Subaru vehicles and systems to prepare students for possible future employment at Subaru retailers nationwide. MHCC first partnered with Subaru in 2015 to provide the Subaru U online factory certification to its automotive technology students. Since then, the training has been provided through the college's automotive technology – IMPORT (Individualized Mechanical Program of Repair Technicians) associate degree program.
MHCC is currently working with nine Subaru retailers throughout Oregon to provide students with sponsorships. In 2017, more than 30 students completed the Subaru U online factory certification, which Subaru provided at no cost to MHCC students. Subaru has also donated equipment and five training vehicles for Automotive Technology students to work on.
